Running Tour du Mont Blanc's "Little Brother"
Italy & Switzerland
Accommodations: Inns Start/End: Le Chable, Switzerland Meeting Place: Le Chable / 4:00 p.m. July 20 |
Tour des Combins
July 20-26 Maximum Group Size: 11 Tour Price: $2,995 - Inn to Inn Click the button below to make a reservation and payment Once you make your reservation and tour payment, you will receive additional information about this self guided trip as you get closer to the trip date including gear list, detailed itinerary, reservations, luggage transfer and storage, maps, gps data, route management, alternate route recommendations and transportation information. We set the date and take care of all of your needs while on the trip.
Call or e-mail us if you'd like more information about this trip. |
Running around The Grand Combins through Italy and Switzerland
We think of the Tour des Combins as the Tour du Mont Blanc's wilder, shorter, less popular, but equally as handsome "Little Brother". All of these adjectives are good things! The Tour des Combins is a STUNNING tour that might just be a bit better trail for trail runners than the Tour du Mont Blanc. Along the trail we'll stay in spectacular remote refugios on the first 3 nights of the tour. And while these refugios are situated in locations that are almost too amazing to believe, you'll also be required to carry a bit more gear than you're used to on an Adventure Running Co. tour. We won't have access to our luggage on the first 3 nights, so you'll want to carry a larger running pack of around 20 to 25 Liters. Good running packs this size are still very easy to run with and you'll enjoy your days on the trail as much as ever. The refugios are super comfortable dormitory style lodgings that provide dinner and breakfast, as well as sack lunches to take on the trail, along with bedding, so all you'll need to carry are your toiletries, a sleeping bag liner, some extra clothes, raingear, and some snacks.
The Tour des Combins itself, is an absolutely magnificent loop around the massive Grand Combin massif straddling Switzerland and Italy. It offers a blend of magnificent high-alpine scenery, quiet glacial valleys, and traditional Alpine culture that makes it one of the most beautiful multi-day treks in the Western Alps. As the trail weaves through remote meadows, hanging glaciers, and rugged cols, trail runners may encounter a rich variety of wildlife: ibex perched on rocky ledges, chamois moving gracefully across steep slopes, marmots whistling from their burrows, and golden eagles soaring above wide glacial basins. In the quieter forested stretches you might spot red deer, while higher scree fields sometimes reveal the tracks of foxes or even the elusive Eurasian lynx, though sightings are rare. The route is exceptionally hospitable thanks to a network of welcoming mountain huts and small village lodgings along the way. On the Swiss side, we'll stay in the Cabane de Chanrion, situated above a turquoise reservoir, and Cabane Panossière perched above the Corbassière Glacier. Crossing into Italy, we'll stay in the charming Rifugio Champillon. On our last two nights, we'll stay in lovely hotels with access to our luggage, including the historic Auberge de l'Hospice St. Bernard at Grand St. Bernard Pass. While we might consider the Tour des Combins a "little brother", this trip will be BIG on high Alps scenery, trail running bliss, stunning views and Swiss and Italian tradition. Join us in July!
"Adventure Running Co. is the BEST! Andy, Kim and Aaron lead by example and provide a fun, casual, adventurous vibe that flows through the entire tour, from the running and hiking to the après drinks and eats and explorations of the local lands. You will find like minded individuals and have numerous opportunities to get to know everyone on the tour at your own pace. Having the tour leaders take and provide amazing images of your adventures is a daily treat, and the ability to just follow along and soak up all that the trail has to offer without having to pay attention to the logistical and planning details is pure joy. I will be back!"
Trip Details
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Difficulty: Advanced - This tour presents a significant challenge with its rugged and steep trails. The Tour des Combins includes significant elevation change, 3 days without access to luggage in remote refugios, need to carry larger running pack, rugged trails, long climbs and descents, high elevation, navigation challenges, little access to support vehicle, and potential hazardous weather. Be prepared to depart early on your longest days. You will be running 6 days with distances between 10 and 16 miles.
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"This was a great trip. The trails were tough but fun and we were rewarded with amazing views. Accommodations were great and the trip was well organized. On top of that the owners/guides were fully involved the entire time and made sure each person was engaged and set for success. I would definitely recommend to others!"